When Jeff Cooper was working on the lesson plans that have become the curriculum at Gunsite Academy, he developed the Combat Triad. These were three equal elements that combine to make us a harder target against criminal attack. They are Marksmanship, Gun Handling and Mindset. These are the three areas that give us the life-saving skills to overcome violent encounters.
Marksmanship begins with a person obtaining a defensive firearm that is compatible to his particular needs. We have to realize that accurate shooting is not a skill that we are born with. Rather, it comes from getting training to develop the necessary skills and then continual practice to keep those skills fresh. In short, we have to learn to hit targets at various distances and to do so as accurately as possible. A friend of mine said that we have to remember that there is a lawyer attached to every bullet that we fire. In other words there are a lot of reasons that it is important to develop the skill level that allows you to hit your target and not endanger non-combatants.
Gun handling first requires us to learn to handle our defensive handgun safely at all times; see the above comment about a lawyer attached to every bullet that we fire. Beyond that, we must learn to make a fast draw stroke, find our sights and get on target quickly. But gun handling also involves learning quick reloading and effectively dealing with any malfunction that is characteristic of the chosen firearm. Different guns may be run differently and maintained differently; it is up to the user to know these things about his chosen defensive tool.
Mindset has to do with spotting trouble and knowing effective ways to deal with it. The best pistol shot that you know of is in trouble if he doesn’t understand how to recognize a serious problem and have a plan for dealing with that problem. If I see the potential criminals while they are still a ways down the street, I am keeping an eye on them and have already spotted close cover options and several exits, I am way ahead of the game. Mindset consists of alertness, ways to avoid trouble and ways to deal with it effectively if it is forced upon us. Through mindset we learn to use the skills developed in marksmanship and gun handling to their greatest advantage.
We need to continually remind ourselves that this whole process is not a “one and done” kind of deal. Instead, it is an ongoing education and ongoing practice deal. What we were taught or what we could do 20 years ago is really of little value if we haven’t kept up with our training and practice. So it is important to continually think of our defensive skills in terms of the combat triad. Marksmanship, Gun Handling and Mindset – the recipe for survival.
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